Qatar Airways has taken delivery of a Gulfstream G650ER jet at a ceremony at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation’s headquarters in Savannah, US.

The December 11 delivery was the first of up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft Qatar Airways has agreed to purchase for Qatar Executive, its corporate jet division. The sale, a combination of firm orders and options, includes the flagship G650ER as well as the G500 and G600, Gulfstream’s new clean-sheet, wide-cabin aircraft.

“It was a pleasure working with Qatar Airways on this project, because we share their drive to provide unmatched safety, speed, quality, performance and cabin comfort to customers,” said Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream. “The G650ER stands at the head of the class in all of these categories. Their customers will be able to fly anywhere in the world at nearly the speed of sound, and they will be able to do so in a healthy, restful and serene environment. This aircraft will get them from Doha to New York, Cape Town or Beijing non-stop.”

“It is an honour to be the first Gulfstream G650ER air charter operator in the Middle East,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker. “We believe in giving our passengers a memorable experience every time they travel with us, which is why we have chosen this new-generation aircraft with its unprecedented levels of comfort and technology to make travelling for both business and leisure a real pleasure whenever we welcome our guests on board. The G650ER will take our passengers farther, faster and in more luxury than ever before.”

From its start in 2009, Qatar Executive has rapidly risen to become a leader in air charter services for individuals, families, businesses, corporations and governments. As part of Qatar Airways, Qatar Executive assures its clients an excellent charter experience.

An ultra-long-range aircraft, the G650ER can travel 7,500 nm/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90. Gulfstream announced the G650ER in May 2014, and the aircraft received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) five months later.

The G650ER cabin shares the same features and amenities as the G650 and provides passengers the healthiest and most comfortable cabin experience. The aircraft has the largest purpose-built business-jet cabin and offers passengers wider seats, more aisle room, 16 panoramic windows, the lowest cabin altitude of any business jet and the ability to control the cabin entertainment, temperature and lighting with a smart device. Passengers can stay connected with Internet, phone and on-board printing capabilities.

A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. 

Gulfstream has produced more than 2,400 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the G150, the G280, the G450, the G550, the G500, the G600, the G650 and the G650ER. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales. The company employs more than 16,000 people at 12 major locations.